Iran Presents Evidence Linking CIA to Missing Scientist

Iran says it has submitted "evidence" to the Swiss embassy, which represents the U.S. in Iran, that proves that U.S. abducted an Iran nuclear scientist.

Iran says it has submitted "evidence" to the Swiss embassy, which represents the U.S. in Iran, that proves that U.S. abducted an Iran nuclear scientist, Iranian Press TV reported on Sunday.

"The evidence related to the abduction of Shahram Amiri by the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) has been handed over to the Swiss embassy in Tehran" foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanaparast said.

Amiri, who went missing during a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia last year, is believed by Iranian officials to be in the United States.

"We expect that based on the U.S. administration's obligations... the U.S. authorities will announce the results of their investigation regarding this Iranian national," Mehmanaparast said.

On June 29, Iranian television aired a video of a man claiming to be Amiri and saying he escaped from U.S. intelligence agents in Virginia.

"I could be re-arrested at any time by US agents... I am not free and I'm not allowed to contact my family. If something happens and I do not return home alive, the U.S. government will be responsible," he said. "I ask Iranian officials and organizations that defend human rights to raise pressure on the U.S. government for my release and return to my country."

For their part, the U.S. has denied any involvement in Amiri's disappearance. ABC News reported in March, however, that an Iranian scientist had defected to help the CIA compile intelligence on the Tehran's nuclear weapons program, claims rejected by U.S. officials.